A 22-year-old member asked:
My doctor thinks i have apinched nervein my neck and wants to do anemg test? what does emg stand for, and how will this test help my doctor
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Craig Mortonanswered
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 20 years experience
Electromyography: This test will help provide your physician isolate which nerve is irritated and to what degree the severity is. There are many nerves that can be "pinched" in the neck and treament options may vary depending on which nerve is involved.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Julian Bragganswered
Neurology 19 years experience
See nerve damage: An EMG monitors electrical activity in the muscles to determine if there is disease in the muscle itself or in the nerves leading to it. By determining the pattern of muscles involved, the source of the problem can be localized (e.g. Pinched nerve in the arm compared to the neck), guiding proper treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Michele Arnoldanswered
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 24 years experience
Nerve & muscle test: Electromyography (EMG) is typically performed along with nerve conduction studies. When performed by a skilled physician (who also does a history & physical exam), these tests can identify nerve & muscle conditions at any point in the 'circuit' from part of the spinal cord, nerve root (exiting your spinal column), through the plexus, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction, and muscle.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 30, 2016
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